Fruity Friday: Fruits and our digestion

Fruits are digested by our bodies faster than any other food group. Melons (10 mins), acid fruits (20-30 mins), sub-acid fruits (30-40 mins) & sweet fruits (45-60 mins). Because they digest so quickly, it's wise to eat them alone. Also, in a fruit salad, choose the combination wisely. Pick fruits with somewhat similar digestion times.

Some examples:

Melons: Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Honeydew,

Acid Fruits: Citrus, Pomegranate, Strawberry, Pineapple, Tomatoes

Sub-acid fruits: Apple, Pear, mango, Kiwi

Sweet fruits: Bananas, Grapes, persimmon, figs, prunes

Melons: Great for acid reflux

Melons are delicious & they digest in 10 minutes! They are also effective in reducing symptoms of heartburn or acid reflux. But select wisely _ watermelons, honeydew, cantaloupes are lowest in acid and will soothe your acidity. These melons are also filling and have a lot of water in them, so your stomach feels calmed and sated. Eat them alone.

Avocado: The Green Giant

The avocado may seem an unlikely hero. Most of a medium-sized fruit's 300 calories come from the 25gms of fat packed into it. But take heart. The Avocado is the only fruit that contains this heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. Also, it's packed with 20 different minerals & Vitamins, including B6, C, E, K, magnesium, potassium, omega-3, etc. Factoid: An Avocado has more Potassium than a whole banana!

Apple: Even dried is good

Dried apple rings are good for you. Studies revealed, dried Apples reduce inflammation markers better than dried prunes, figs, or dates. Apples are also rich in polyphenols, which help lower cholesterol, especially when eaten with the skin. Can't get out and buy fresh apples? Keep a bag of dried apples in the pantry.

Bananas: Eat that peel too!

We all love bananas. And yes, you can eat the peel too! It's rich in fiber, Vitamins B6 & B12, magnesium & potassium. Organic banana peels are healthier to eat. In many South American countries, banana peel is commonly used in cooking. Scrape off the soft layer on the inside of the peel, chop fine and use in your recipe to make meatless meatball or burger patties! Yummy.

Keep Moving!

Find ways to exercise even though you're homebound now. Get up every 30 minutes from your computer and walk around the house or garden. Download an app to follow an online exercise demo. Or, just put on some music and dance away!